Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 305, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1917 — Gayly Decked Fijians Do Artistic Dance Imitating a Tide Rising on a Reef [ARTICLE]

Gayly Decked Fijians Do Artistic Dance Imitating a Tide Rising on a Reef

The Fijians are perhaps the best dancers in the world. One of the most curious dances that they practice is one representing a tide rising on a reef. The idea to be conveyed is that of a tide gradually rising on a reef till at length there remains only a little coral isle, round which the angry breakers rage, flinging their white foam on every side. At first the dancers form in long lines, and approach silently, to represent the quiet advance of the waves. After a while the lines break up into smaller companies, which advance with outspread hands and bodies bent forward to represent rippling wavelets, the tiniest 'waves being represented by children. Quicker and quicker they come on, now advancing, now retreating, yet, like true waves, steadily progressing and gradually closing on every side of the imaginary islet round which they play or battle after the manner of breakers, springing high in mid-air and flinging their arms far above their heads to represent the action of spray. As they leap and toss their heads the soft white masl or native cloth —which, for greater effect, they wear as a turban with long streamers and also wear round the waist, whence it floats In long scarf-llke ends —trembles and flutters in the breeze. The whole effect is most artistic, and the orchestra does its part by imitating the roar of the surf on the reef —a sound which to them has been a never-ceasing lullaby from the hour of their birth.